Lassa fever

Definition of LASSA FEVER

: a disease especially of Africa that is caused by an arenavirus (species Lassa virus of the genus Arenavirus) and is characterized by a high fever, headaches, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, small hemorrhages under the skin, heart and kidney failure, and a high mortality rate

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Origin of LASSA FEVER

Lassa, village in Nigeria

First Known Use: 1970

Medical Dictionary

Lassa fever

nounLas·sa fever \ˌlas-ə-\

Medical Definition of LASSA FEVER

: a disease especially of Africa that is caused by the Lassa virus and is characterized by a high fever, headaches, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, small hemorrhages under the skin, heart and kidney failure, and a high mortality rate